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Kratos_BIG

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Kratos,e charecter file and all about him
Name: Kratos
Origin: God of War
Gender: Male
Classification: Demi-God
Age: Unknown
Powers and Abilities: Super strength, speed, agility, durability, endurance, high skilled warrior, powers bestowed by the Gods (GoW1), powers bestowed by the Titans (GoW2), time manipulation (Requires Loom Chamber)
Weaknesses: Nothing notable
Destructive Capacity: Skyscraper level+
Range: Extended melee range, At least a hundred meters as God Kratos
Speed: Above peak human, hypersonic reactions (he deflected lightning bolts thrown by Zeus)
Durability: City block level+
Strength: Class 100 (Frequently man-handles gigantic creatures, resisted being crushed by Atlas' fingers)
Stamina: Superhuman
Standard Equipment: Blades of Chaos/Athena (Depending on which game), Barbarian Hammer, Spear of Destiny, Blade of Olympus, Golden Fleece, Icarus Wings, Head of Medusa/Euryale, Typhon's Bane
Intelligence: Was a Spartan Commander who won many battles, experience battling many supernatural foes. Comes up with brutally creative ways to kill his enemies
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
- Rage of the Gods: Kratos becomes supercharged with power, doing far more damage, and becomes immune to damage.
- Rage of the Titans: Basically same as Rage of the Gods, only instead of being immune to damage you just receive less of it. Receives a powerup later in the game.
- Poseidon's Rage: Kratos releases an AOE electricity attack in all directions of himself within a certain radius. Can tap circle to make the attack last longer, electrocuting enemies.
- Head of Medusa/Euryale: Using the head of a Gorgon, Kratos can over time freeze people in stone. Subsequent upgrades allow him to instantly freeze groups of enemies around him in stone.
- Zeus' Fury: Allows Kratos to throw bolts of lightning at enemies like Zeus himself. Can supercharge the bolts for more damage.
- Army of Hades: Kratos can summon several undead, spiritual soldiers of Hades which attack nearby enemies. The soldiers themselves are immune to damage it seems, possibly through spiritual intangibility.
- Typhon's Bane: A magical bow, it allows Kratos to find sharp gusts of wind like arrows. This bow also allows Kratos to fire small cyclones at enemies, fire multiple homing wind blasts, and summon a raging tempest that attacks enemies around him.
- Cronos' Rage: Can create orbs of lightning as "traps" to damage enemies, the orbs can also explode.
- Atlas Quake: Kratos pounds the ground with his fists, causing shockwaves which send enemies and debris flying.
- Barbarian Hammer: A large, powerful hammer Kratos can wield. Along with using it as a melee weapon, by slamming it on the ground it causes a shockwave in front of Kratos, and can be used to summon multiple cursed souls to attack enemies in a way similar to the Army of Hades.
- Spear of Destiny: A spear that can fire razor sharp energy blasts as projectiles. It can also leave traps on the battlefield that explode on contact. A special slash from it will cause enemies struck to explode in a short period of time.
- Blade of Olympus: Kratos' most powerful weapon. It is a large, powerful sword that can fire energy blasts capable of blasting through enemies. It was used by Zeus to in one attack defeat all the Titans and end the Great Titan War, although it is possible Kratos' control of the Blade is not as good as Zeus'. It is also notable that the Blade is capable of draining a God of their powers.
- Golden Fleece: A shield worn on Kratos' arm, from the shoulder down. Absorbs and reflects attacks.
- Icarus Wings: Kratos uses these wings taken from Icarus to glide through the air.
- Sun Shield: A large shield used to parry attacks, leaving the opponent open to a counter.
- Charon's Wrath: Casts green clouds of ravenous flames that can spread among enemies.
- Light of Dawn: Kratos can hurl orbs of bright light at enemies. Can be charged for more damage or fired rapidly.
- Efreet: Releases the demonic fire spirt Efreet to attack enemies with its powerful flame attacks.
- Pandora's Box: Used at the end of the first God of War. Gives Kratos the size and power to fight and kill a God.
- God of War: Kratos' form when he became God of War after killing Ares. Kratos stood roughly 300 or more feet tall, and possessed all the powers of the God of War, which going by Ares' showings would include flight, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, shapeshifting, and telepathy.
- Time Manipulation: Kratos is able to travel to any point in time, however, he has not been seen using this ability without the Loom Chamber.
Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment's God of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the game God of War, which was released in March 2005, and whose success led to the development of five additional games featuring him as the protagonist. The character has been consistently voiced by TC Carson.
Kratos embarks on a series of often forced adventures in attempts to avert disaster or change his fate. Kratos is usually portrayed as being oblivious to all else in the execution of these adventures, often engaging in morally ambiguous activities and performing acts of extreme violence. Each adventure forms part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme, and provides additional information on Kratos' origins (eventually revealed to be a demigod) and relationship with his family and the gods.
Kratos has received positive critical reception, being described by reviewers as a "sympathetic antihero".[1] The character is also associated with products including artwork, clothing, comic books, fast food, the internet, a novel, sweepstakes, toys and cell phone skins, with Game Guru claiming that "Practically anyone, even if they hadn't played any of the God of War games, would know about Kratos."[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Concept and creation
1.1 Outward appearance
2 Role in series
3 Critical reception
3.1 Merchandise
4 Other media
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Concept and creationDuring the creative process, game director David Jaffe strived to create a character that looked "brutal", but still separated his appearance from what is considered to be the traditional Greek hero.[3] Traditional armor was also removed from the character, in order to promote the character's "individualism".[4] One of the early concepts was a fully masked character, but the idea was abandoned when such designs seemed "soulless", lacking a defined personality.[5]
Some models included unconventional elements, including an infant being carried on Kratos' back,[6] while others were deemed to include excessive detail, such as hair and other "flowing things".[6]
The double-chained blades were selected as Kratos' signature weapons as they emphasized the character's animalistic nature has still allowed combat to remain fluid.[7]
Jaffe commented on the final version of Kratos stating while "...he (Kratos) may not totally feel at home in Ancient Greece from a costume standpoint, I think he achieves the greater purpose which is to give players a character who they can play who really does just let them go nuts and unleash the nasty fantasies that they have in their head."[8]
Early concept art, depicting unused variations of Kratos.[edit] Outward appearanceThe most notable external feature is Kratos' ash-white complexion, a story development which earns him the title "Ghost of Sparta."[9]
Other features include a scar across the right eye, and a large red tattoo (originally blue but changed late in production[10]) beginning at the left eye and ending at the left shoulder. The scar is eventually revealed to be a result of a childhood encounter with the Olympian god Ares, while the tattoo is a tribute to his deceased brother Deimos, who had similar birth markings (God of War: Ghost of Sparta). Other changes that occur during the course of the series include the temporary addition of divine armor as the God of War (modelled on Ares' own armor) (God of War II), an abdominal scar (God of War II) and ability enhancing armor such as the Golden Fleece (an epaulet - God of War II) and the Boots of Hermes (God of War III).
Kratos' appearance can also be altered in bonus play, as completing a game at certain levels of difficulty unlocks bonus costumes. Several costumes were also available exclusively via pre-order and other promotions (e.g. God of War III), but are now available via the PlayStation Store.[11] Although many bonus costumes are consistent with story themes, others are blatantly humorous (e.g. the female Athena) or farcical (e.g. the "Spud of War"). A total of 27 bonus costumes are available for use through out the series.[12][13]
According to an early God of War script, the character has a height of 6'6 to 6'7.[14]
[edit] Role in seriesThroughout the series, Kratos is portrayed as an anti-hero,[15] often performing questionable actions.
An oracle foretold that the demise of Olympus would come not by the revenge of the great Titans, imprisoned after the Great War, but by a marked warrior. The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupts the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos in Sparta (with Athena watching) and kidnaps Deimos. Kratos attempts to stop Ares, but is swept aside and scarred (across his right eye) by the Olympian. Taken to Death's Domain, Deimos is imprisoned and tortured for many years by the god of death, Thanatos. Believing Deimos to be dead, Kratos marks himself with a red tattoo (identical to his brother's birthmark) to honor his sibling.
Kratos eventually becomes the youngest Captain of Sparta's army, but is revealed to have had a thirst for power. Faced with total defeat at the hands of a barbarian horde, Kratos called for aid to Olympian god Ares. Given the Blades of Chaos, Kratos destroys his enemies and blindly follows the God of War, killing hundreds in his name. After Ares tricks Kratos into murdering his wife Lysandra and daughter Calliope in a temple dedicated to Athena, the Spartan is shocked out of his bloodlust and renounces service to Ares. As the temple burns, a village oracle curses Kratos and condemns him to wear the "mark of his terrible deed", being the ashes of his family. The ashes turn Kratos' skin ash-white, earning him the title "Ghost of Sparta."
Although Kratos then vows to serve the other gods in order to receive forgiveness and relief from the nightmares of his past deeds, he is openly defiant. Kratos is reluctant to aid the gods when Helios is kidnapped, and openly abandons them when the goddess Persephone offers him a chance to be reunited with his daughter. Kratos, however, is eventually forced to reverse his decision when Persephone uses the Titan Atlas in a bid to destroy the world and in turn Calliope. Knowing that while intervention will save Calliope it will keep them apart forever, a bitter Kratos kills Persephone, imprisons Atlas and frees Helios (Chains of Olympus).
Artwork for the Deimos (brother of Kratos) bonus costume: obtained as a download and available for use in the game God of War III (an unlockable costume in God of War: Ghost of Sparta).When Kratos grows tired of his service and confronts patron Athena, the goddess advises that if Kratos will kill the rampaging Ares, the gods will forgive his sins. Kratos once again agrees out of selfish motives, and after finding and using Pandora's Box, is ultimately successful. Despite being free of Ares' influence (including the Blades of Chaos), Kratos is not relieved of the nightmares that haunt him: only forgiven. A dissatisfied and despairing Kratos attempts to commit suicide, but is saved by Athena, who guides Kratos to Olympus (giving him the Blades of Athena) where he becomes the new God of War (God of War).
Still haunted by the visions of his mortal past, Kratos - against the advice of Athena - embarks on a quest to find his mother, Callisto, in the city of Atlantis. Callisto attempts to reveal the identity of Kratos' father before being transformed against her will into a beast that Kratos is forced to kill. Before dying, Callisto advises Kratos to find his brother Deimos in Sparta. Kratos first frees the Titan Thera from imprisonment, which causes the destruction of Atlantis. After a skirmish with his brother Deimos, Kratos allies with his sibling to battle the God of Death Thanatos. Thanatos kills Deimos but is then killed in turn by Kratos, who returns to Olympus enraged at the gods (Ghost of Sparta).
Eventually shunned by the other gods and bored with life on Mt. Olympus, Kratos spends his time watching the Spartan army overrun Greece. After being falsely accused of committing murder and eventually killing Ceryx, the son of Hermes (Betrayal), Kratos joins the Spartan army in city of Rhodes, intent only on destruction. Zeus, however, weakens Kratos, and then tricks him into abandoning his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus (which Zeus uses to kill Kratos). Although Kratos overcomes all obstacles, he is stunned at Zeus' betrayal and swears revenge as he dies.
As Kratos falls into the Underworld, he is rescued by the Titan Gaia. Banished to Tartarus with the other surviving Titans after the First Great War, Gaia and her brethren seek the death of Zeus. Kratos, fuelled by anger at the betrayal, agrees to aid the Titans and is instructed to find the Sisters of Fate, with their power being capable of returning him to the moment of Zeus' treachery.
Kratos becomes both determined and utterly ruthless—in the pursuit of his goal he wounds a Titan, kills several Greek heroes without hesitation and deliberately sacrifices two scholars. All three of the Sisters of Fate are killed when they oppose Kratos, and in a final confrontation with Zeus is prepared to execute the King of the Gods. Zeus is only saved when Athena intervenes and sacrifices herself for him, with Kratos only then showing some remorse. Learning from a dying Athena that Zeus is in fact his father, and that Zeus wishes to avoid a repetition of what he himself did to his own father Cronos, Kratos rejects any notion of a relationship and vows to kill both Zeus and destroy Olympus. Encouraged by Gaia, Kratos uses the power of the Fates to retrieve the Titans prior to their defeat in the Great War, and with their aid, storms Mt. Olympus (God of War II).
Although Kratos kills Poseidon, he is abandoned by Gaia when an initial encounter with Zeus goes poorly. Stranded in the underworld and now betrayed by both the Olympians and Titans, Kratos learns from the spirit of Athena (who also provides the Blades of Exile) he will need to find the Flame of Olympus: the key to Zeus' defeat. Kratos murders both Titans and gods alike, ignoring the warnings of his victims as he seeks the Flame. Realizing the key to pacifying the Flame and reaching what is discovered to be Pandora's Box is in fact Pandora herself, Kratos comes to care for the girl, who reminds him of his lost daughter Calliope.
Kratos shows humanity when he attempts to stop Pandora from sacrificing herself to quenching the Flame, but reluctantly allows the act when Pandora states there is no other option. Finding the Box empty, and driven berserk by Zeus' mockery, Kratos attacks his father. Although Gaia intervenes and attempts to kill both Kratos and Zeus, she is destroyed by Kratos, who then apparently defeats Zeus.
Zeus, however, returns and attacks Kratos in spirit form. Kratos, now retreated into his psyche, comes to forgive himself for his past sins with the help of Lysandra. Pandora later appears and tells Kratos that hope will ultimately save him. A now whole Kratos is revived and easily destroys Zeus. Athena confronts Kratos and demands that Kratos return what she placed in Pandora's Box: hope. In a selfless act, Kratos refuses and impales himself on the Blade of Olympus, which disperses the power across the world for mankind's use. Athena departs as Kratos states that his need for vengeance is at an end.
Kratos' ultimate fate remains unknown (God of War III).
[edit] Critical receptionGameSpot stated God of War did not allow the player to initially understand Kratos, but would be evident by the game's conclusion.[16] The character was regarded as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", and described as "endearing" due to his unforgiving demeanor.[16] IGN similarly noted he was "ruthless", "merciless" and "savage", noting the character's main motive is vengeance and "All he desires is murder."[17] IGN also stated that in time the player would begin to "love and loathe Kratos and hate Ares."[17] GameDaily included him in a top 25 list of video game anti-heroes, stating that they love him for how he "tears enemies limb from limb and looks awesome doing it".[18]
GamePro stated it was "Kratos' tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus that made the original God of War so memorable."[19] GamesRadar listed Kratos as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade, stating that while he appears at first to be a generic character, the players eventually learn that he is both an "unstoppable force of nature" and a "broken, tragic man".[20]
Prince of Persia producer, Ben Mattes, explained in an interview that he considers Kratos "a supercool character, but it's black and white; his personality is pure rage, his dialogue is pure rage, his character design is pure rage--it's kind of easy."[21] Jeremy "Norm" Scott, creator of the comic strip Hsu and Chan appearing in video game magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly, made similar comments and stated that Kratos was "average", and "did not exist, except as an avatar for the player."[22]
At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, Kratos was nominated for "Character of the Year" and awarded the "Biggest Badass" award.[23]
[edit] MerchandiseTwo series of action figures based on God of War II have been produced by National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The first set included two versions of Kratos (the first being Kratos wielding the Blades of Athena and the second being Kratos wearing the Golden Fleece and holding a gorgon's head). A twelve-inch variation of the second figure that plays six pre-recorded game quotes was included in this release.[24]
A second two-figure set was also released, with Kratos wearing Ares' God of War armour.[25][26]
Kratos has also been featured in a line of action figures released by DC Unlimited based on God of War III.[27]
On January 29, 2010, it was announced that from February 1, 2010 until March 31, 2010, 7-Eleven would be selling a limited edition Slurpee drink called "Kratos Fury" (a blend of blackberries and frosty lime flavors) available in one of four exclusive God of War III Slurpee cups. The cups also featured codes that could also be used on the Slurpee website for exclusive God of War III and Slurpee themed downloadable content.[28]
[edit] Other mediaKratos has been featured as a playable character in five other PlayStation games outside the God of War series. These include Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (complete with "Club of Chaos"),[29] LittleBigPlanet (also included monsters the Medusa and Minotaur and level designs),[30] Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny[31], ModNation Racers (complete with "Kart of Chaos")[32] and the PS3 version of Mortal Kombat (with own stage and "stage fatality").[33] The character's image also appeared in The Simpsons Game in a God of War parody (Kratos appears on a billboard as the "God of Wharf", advertising a chowder restaurant).[34]
A film adaptation of the original God of War was announced in 2005.[35] Creator David Jaffe confirmed that a completed script had been written by David Self and would be sent to an unspecified "huge-name director". Jaffe also confirmed that Universal Studios is behind the making of the God of War movie but was unaware of its current status,[36] and eventually stated that "it's doubtful that the film will even be made." [37]
A novelization of Kratos' first released adventure -God of War- was written by Matthew Stover and Robert E. Vardeman was released on May 25, 2010 by Del Ray Books.[38]
A six issue comic book series written by Marv Wolfman with art by Andrea Sorrentino was released by Wildstorm from March 2010 to January 2011 on a bi-monthly schedule with a collected edition released in March 2011.[39] Courtesy of flashbacks, the story explores Kratos' past as a Spartan soldier, and present during the period when Kratos first becomes the new God of War. On both occasions Kratos seeks the Ambrosia of Asclepius, which has legendary healing properties.
god of war 3 ending
God of War III picks up immediately where God of War II ended, with Kratos riding on Gaia as she and the other massive Titans climb Mount Olympus to assault the gods. Atop the mountain, Hermes, Poseidon, Hades, Helios, and Zeus begin an attack to defend themselves from the Titans. After defeating and killing Poseidon, Kratos and Gaia reach Zeus, only to be knocked off Mt. Olympus by Zeus' lightning bolt. As Gaia tries to climb back up, Kratos begins to slip off her back. Gaia states that she cannot help him and that the Titans war with the gods is more important than Kratos' revenge. Kratos falls off Gaia as she continues upward.
Kratos lands in the River Styx, where the souls of the underworld take away all of Kratos' power and health, except for the Golden Fleece, Icarus Wings, and the Blade of Olympus. Furthermore, Kratos' Blades of Athena are ruined in the river. Emerging from the river, Kratos encounters Athena's ghost, who gives him the Blades of Exile. With Athena to once again guide him, Kratos sets out to find Zeus and destroy him.
Along the way, Kratos eliminates many of the remaining gods and their servants including, Helios, Hades, Hermes, Hephaestus, and Hercules; as the gods are killed, they unleash fatal calamities across the mortal world including floods, storms, and plagues. He also returns the favor to Gaia by making her fall to Tartarus. Kratos eventually learns that Pandora's Box still exists after his encounter with Ares. Protected by the Flame of Olympus, it's contents are said to still be able to slay a god. Kratos travels to various locations to find the key to opening Pandora's Box, learning later that Pandora herself is the key and that only she can pacify the Flame of Olympus.
The Labyrinth that Kratos must save Pandora from.
Kratos makes his way to the Labyrinth, where Pandora is being held. After killing Cronos and several other foes, he takes Pandora back to where her box is being held. There, Zeus arrives to stop them, however, after a one-on-one duel with Kratos, Zeus fails to stop Pandora as she quenches the flame. Kratos, finally able to open Pandora's Box, discovers that the box is empty. Enraged, he finds Zeus at a nearby platform, where they once again engage in battle. Suddenly, Gaia returns and attacks them both. To avoid her assault, they jump inside Gaia via a hole near her neck. Inside of Gaia, Kratos and Zeus battle, ending with Kratos stabbing both Zeus and Gaia's heart with the Blade of Olympus.
Near where Gaia attacked Kratos and Zeus, Kratos awakens, taking the Blade of Olympus out of Zeus's body. With Zeus's physical form defeated, his spirit attacks Kratos, rendering him weaponless. As Zeus's spirit is about to kill Kratos, Kratos retreats inside of his own psyche. There, he forgives himself for his past sins, and learns that 'hope' is his most powerful weapon. Kratos, returning from inside himself, breaks free and kills Zeus once and for all.
Athena's spirit appears, demanding that he give her the weapon he took out of Pandora's Box. He replies that it was empty, a fact Athena cannot believe. Athena explains that when Zeus imprisoned the world's evil within the Box, she feared what may happen should it ever be opened, and placed her own power of hope within the Box. Athena comes to realize that when Kratos opened the Box to defeat Ares, the evil escaped, infecting the other gods and endowing Kratos with Athena's power, explaining why the Box is now empty. Athena demands Kratos return her power, believing she knows best how to use it. Instead, Kratos takes his own life with the Blade of Olympus, releasing the power for all of mankind to use. Enraged, Athena states that the world won't know what to do with hope and that Kratos sacrificed himself in vain. On the ground, in a pool of his own blood, Kratos is still slowly breathing as Athena walks away, the camera fading to black as the credits begin.
At the end of the credits, Kratos is no longer at the spot where he collapsed next to the Blade of Olympus, with only a trail of blood leading over to the edge of the nearby cliff, indicating that Kratos may still be alive.
god
god of war 2 endingKratos didn't kill Zeus but he almost did. Kratos stuck a sword inside of Zues and had Zeus at his feet, but Athena interrupted Kratos from killing Zeus. Kratos was startled once Athena interrupted him and he ended up accidently impaling Athena with the sword and killed her. After Kratos was interrupted by Athena, Zeus managed to get away from him.
The very last cutscene of God of War 2 ends with Kratos on the back of the Titan Gaia and they were climbing a mountain to Zeus's Castle with hundreds of other Titans climbing with them up the mountain, and then the words "The End Begins" appears on the screen.
There was a ton of boss battles in God of War 2 and Kratos killed tons of people/creatures: The Sisters of Fate, Barbarian King,, Theseus, Icarus, Kraken, Colossus of Rhodes, and Euryale.
god of war 2 endingKratos didn't kill Zeus but he almost did. Kratos stuck a sword inside of Zues and had Zeus at his feet, but Athena interrupted Kratos from killing Zeus. Kratos was startled once Athena interrupted him and he ended up accidently impaling Athena with the sword and killed her. After Kratos was interrupted by Athena, Zeus managed to get away from him.
The very last cutscene of God of War 2 ends with Kratos on the back of the Titan Gaia and they were climbing a mountain to Zeus's Castle with hundreds of other Titans climbing with them up the mountain, and then the words "The End Begins" appears on the screen.
There was a ton of boss battles in God of War 2 and Kratos killed tons of people/creatures: The Sisters of Fate, Barbarian King,, Theseus, Icarus, Kraken, Colossus of Rhodes, and Euryale.
God of War III begins with a bang exactly where the second game in the trilogy ends: with Kratos, the protagonist, on the shoulder of Gaia as the Titans assault Mount Olympus.
Kratos, who has been the god of war since killing Ares in the first game, aims to kill Zeus, his father. But first he has to work his way through the rest of the Greek pantheon. Each fight with a god is a boss battle in God of War III (Sony; PS3; rated mature). There are a lot of them—there are a lot of gods—in this action-adventure game that was released on March 16.
The first boss battle takes place within the first 30 minutes. Kratos ruthlessly kills Poseidon by driving his thumbs through the eyes and into the brain of the god of the sea. Gamers get to experience Poseidon’s final moments firsthand, from his point of view, which is, in a word, unsettling.
Many of the deaths presented in God of War III are discomfiting, in part because of the realism of the graphics, but also because Kratos appears to take such pleasure in the excessive violence he inflicts on his victims. Kratos has, over the course of the trilogy, gone from being simply a troubled soldier to an enraged, deranged fiend who is driven by a need for vengeance.
While the God of War games have always revelled in gore, this installment crosses the line because the violence portrayed is nothing short of sadistic.
That this video game can elicit feelings of revulsion, though, simply speaks to the power of the medium and of this title. It is for mature audiences, after all, something we are reminded of by Aphrodite’s female servants, who watch the sexual tryst between her and Kratos.
Playing God of War III is much like playing the first two games. It requires fast and furious button mashing, as Kratos is nearly overwhelmed by hordes of enemies that range from skeletons to soldiers, Gorgons to Minotaurs, and Cyclopes to centaurs. Between the battles are puzzle and platforming sequences that aren’t too challenging but break up the action nicely.
God of War III is the first of the trilogy to be made for the PlayStation 3. The entire game—even the short movielike segments—is rendered with the in-game graphics engine, and it looks amazing. The developers at Sony Santa Monica show off the scale of the world, often juxtaposing tiny humans with the monstrous Titans and the vast landscapes.
In an interview in February at a launch event in Los Angeles, game director Stig Asmussen told the Georgia Straight that he wanted this game to wrap up the story that began with the first God of War, and it does. God of War III features characters and items that were critical to the plot of the first game, so everything gets tied up with a neat little bow.
The ending of this game, though, is a disaster. After lots of frantic and violent action, God of War III ends with a 30-minute sequence that has players doing nothing more than running Kratos down a path and back again. It’s as if the developers forgot they were making a video game.
Having a denouement at the end of an epic series isn’t a bad idea, but if that coda is the last thing players are going to experience, you’d best make sure it doesn’t put them to sleep.

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Kratos,e charecter file and all about him
Name: Kratos
Origin: God of War
Gender: Male
Classification: Demi-God
Age: Unknown
Powers and Abilities: Super strength, speed, agility, durability, endurance, high skilled warrior, powers bestowed by the Gods (GoW1), powers bestowed by the Titans (GoW2), time manipulation (Requires Loom Chamber)
Weaknesses: Nothing notable
Destructive Capacity: Skyscraper level+
Range: Extended melee range, At least a hundred meters as God Kratos
Speed: Above peak human, hypersonic reactions (he deflected lightning bolts thrown by Zeus)
Durability: City block level+
Strength: Class 100 (Frequently man-handles gigantic creatures, resisted being crushed by Atlas' fingers)
Stamina: Superhuman
Standard Equipment: Blades of Chaos/Athena (Depending on which game), Barbarian Hammer, Spear of Destiny, Blade of Olympus, Golden Fleece, Icarus Wings, Head of Medusa/Euryale, Typhon's Bane
Intelligence: Was a Spartan Commander who won many battles, experience battling many supernatural foes. Comes up with brutally creative ways to kill his enemies
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
- Rage of the Gods: Kratos becomes supercharged with power, doing far more damage, and becomes immune to damage.
- Rage of the Titans: Basically same as Rage of the Gods, only instead of being immune to damage you just receive less of it. Receives a powerup later in the game.
- Poseidon's Rage: Kratos releases an AOE electricity attack in all directions of himself within a certain radius. Can tap circle to make the attack last longer, electrocuting enemies.
- Head of Medusa/Euryale: Using the head of a Gorgon, Kratos can over time freeze people in stone. Subsequent upgrades allow him to instantly freeze groups of enemies around him in stone.
- Zeus' Fury: Allows Kratos to throw bolts of lightning at enemies like Zeus himself. Can supercharge the bolts for more damage.
- Army of Hades: Kratos can summon several undead, spiritual soldiers of Hades which attack nearby enemies. The soldiers themselves are immune to damage it seems, possibly through spiritual intangibility.
- Typhon's Bane: A magical bow, it allows Kratos to find sharp gusts of wind like arrows. This bow also allows Kratos to fire small cyclones at enemies, fire multiple homing wind blasts, and summon a raging tempest that attacks enemies around him.
- Cronos' Rage: Can create orbs of lightning as "traps" to damage enemies, the orbs can also explode.
- Atlas Quake: Kratos pounds the ground with his fists, causing shockwaves which send enemies and debris flying.
- Barbarian Hammer: A large, powerful hammer Kratos can wield. Along with using it as a melee weapon, by slamming it on the ground it causes a shockwave in front of Kratos, and can be used to summon multiple cursed souls to attack enemies in a way similar to the Army of Hades.
- Spear of Destiny: A spear that can fire razor sharp energy blasts as projectiles. It can also leave traps on the battlefield that explode on contact. A special slash from it will cause enemies struck to explode in a short period of time.
- Blade of Olympus: Kratos' most powerful weapon. It is a large, powerful sword that can fire energy blasts capable of blasting through enemies. It was used by Zeus to in one attack defeat all the Titans and end the Great Titan War, although it is possible Kratos' control of the Blade is not as good as Zeus'. It is also notable that the Blade is capable of draining a God of their powers.
- Golden Fleece: A shield worn on Kratos' arm, from the shoulder down. Absorbs and reflects attacks.
- Icarus Wings: Kratos uses these wings taken from Icarus to glide through the air.
- Sun Shield: A large shield used to parry attacks, leaving the opponent open to a counter.
- Charon's Wrath: Casts green clouds of ravenous flames that can spread among enemies.
- Light of Dawn: Kratos can hurl orbs of bright light at enemies. Can be charged for more damage or fired rapidly.
- Efreet: Releases the demonic fire spirt Efreet to attack enemies with its powerful flame attacks.
- Pandora's Box: Used at the end of the first God of War. Gives Kratos the size and power to fight and kill a God.
- God of War: Kratos' form when he became God of War after killing Ares. Kratos stood roughly 300 or more feet tall, and possessed all the powers of the God of War, which going by Ares' showings would include flight, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, shapeshifting, and telepathy.
- Time Manipulation: Kratos is able to travel to any point in time, however, he has not been seen using this ability without the Loom Chamber.
Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment's God of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the game God of War, which was released in March 2005, and whose success led to the development of five additional games featuring him as the protagonist. The character has been consistently voiced by TC Carson.
Kratos embarks on a series of often forced adventures in attempts to avert disaster or change his fate. Kratos is usually portrayed as being oblivious to all else in the execution of these adventures, often engaging in morally ambiguous activities and performing acts of extreme violence. Each adventure forms part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme, and provides additional information on Kratos' origins (eventually revealed to be a demigod) and relationship with his family and the gods.
Kratos has received positive critical reception, being described by reviewers as a "sympathetic antihero".[1] The character is also associated with products including artwork, clothing, comic books, fast food, the internet, a novel, sweepstakes, toys and cell phone skins, with Game Guru claiming that "Practically anyone, even if they hadn't played any of the God of War games, would know about Kratos."[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Concept and creation
1.1 Outward appearance
2 Role in series
3 Critical reception
3.1 Merchandise
4 Other media
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Concept and creationDuring the creative process, game director David Jaffe strived to create a character that looked "brutal", but still separated his appearance from what is considered to be the traditional Greek hero.[3] Traditional armor was also removed from the character, in order to promote the character's "individualism".[4] One of the early concepts was a fully masked character, but the idea was abandoned when such designs seemed "soulless", lacking a defined personality.[5]
Some models included unconventional elements, including an infant being carried on Kratos' back,[6] while others were deemed to include excessive detail, such as hair and other "flowing things".[6]
The double-chained blades were selected as Kratos' signature weapons as they emphasized the character's animalistic nature has still allowed combat to remain fluid.[7]
Jaffe commented on the final version of Kratos stating while "...he (Kratos) may not totally feel at home in Ancient Greece from a costume standpoint, I think he achieves the greater purpose which is to give players a character who they can play who really does just let them go nuts and unleash the nasty fantasies that they have in their head."[8]
Early concept art, depicting unused variations of Kratos.[edit] Outward appearanceThe most notable external feature is Kratos' ash-white complexion, a story development which earns him the title "Ghost of Sparta."[9]
Other features include a scar across the right eye, and a large red tattoo (originally blue but changed late in production[10]) beginning at the left eye and ending at the left shoulder. The scar is eventually revealed to be a result of a childhood encounter with the Olympian god Ares, while the tattoo is a tribute to his deceased brother Deimos, who had similar birth markings (God of War: Ghost of Sparta). Other changes that occur during the course of the series include the temporary addition of divine armor as the God of War (modelled on Ares' own armor) (God of War II), an abdominal scar (God of War II) and ability enhancing armor such as the Golden Fleece (an epaulet - God of War II) and the Boots of Hermes (God of War III).
Kratos' appearance can also be altered in bonus play, as completing a game at certain levels of difficulty unlocks bonus costumes. Several costumes were also available exclusively via pre-order and other promotions (e.g. God of War III), but are now available via the PlayStation Store.[11] Although many bonus costumes are consistent with story themes, others are blatantly humorous (e.g. the female Athena) or farcical (e.g. the "Spud of War"). A total of 27 bonus costumes are available for use through out the series.[12][13]
According to an early God of War script, the character has a height of 6'6 to 6'7.[14]
[edit] Role in seriesThroughout the series, Kratos is portrayed as an anti-hero,[15] often performing questionable actions.
An oracle foretold that the demise of Olympus would come not by the revenge of the great Titans, imprisoned after the Great War, but by a marked warrior. The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupts the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos in Sparta (with Athena watching) and kidnaps Deimos. Kratos attempts to stop Ares, but is swept aside and scarred (across his right eye) by the Olympian. Taken to Death's Domain, Deimos is imprisoned and tortured for many years by the god of death, Thanatos. Believing Deimos to be dead, Kratos marks himself with a red tattoo (identical to his brother's birthmark) to honor his sibling.
Kratos eventually becomes the youngest Captain of Sparta's army, but is revealed to have had a thirst for power. Faced with total defeat at the hands of a barbarian horde, Kratos called for aid to Olympian god Ares. Given the Blades of Chaos, Kratos destroys his enemies and blindly follows the God of War, killing hundreds in his name. After Ares tricks Kratos into murdering his wife Lysandra and daughter Calliope in a temple dedicated to Athena, the Spartan is shocked out of his bloodlust and renounces service to Ares. As the temple burns, a village oracle curses Kratos and condemns him to wear the "mark of his terrible deed", being the ashes of his family. The ashes turn Kratos' skin ash-white, earning him the title "Ghost of Sparta."
Although Kratos then vows to serve the other gods in order to receive forgiveness and relief from the nightmares of his past deeds, he is openly defiant. Kratos is reluctant to aid the gods when Helios is kidnapped, and openly abandons them when the goddess Persephone offers him a chance to be reunited with his daughter. Kratos, however, is eventually forced to reverse his decision when Persephone uses the Titan Atlas in a bid to destroy the world and in turn Calliope. Knowing that while intervention will save Calliope it will keep them apart forever, a bitter Kratos kills Persephone, imprisons Atlas and frees Helios (Chains of Olympus).
Artwork for the Deimos (brother of Kratos) bonus costume: obtained as a download and available for use in the game God of War III (an unlockable costume in God of War: Ghost of Sparta).When Kratos grows tired of his service and confronts patron Athena, the goddess advises that if Kratos will kill the rampaging Ares, the gods will forgive his sins. Kratos once again agrees out of selfish motives, and after finding and using Pandora's Box, is ultimately successful. Despite being free of Ares' influence (including the Blades of Chaos), Kratos is not relieved of the nightmares that haunt him: only forgiven. A dissatisfied and despairing Kratos attempts to commit suicide, but is saved by Athena, who guides Kratos to Olympus (giving him the Blades of Athena) where he becomes the new God of War (God of War).
Still haunted by the visions of his mortal past, Kratos - against the advice of Athena - embarks on a quest to find his mother, Callisto, in the city of Atlantis. Callisto attempts to reveal the identity of Kratos' father before being transformed against her will into a beast that Kratos is forced to kill. Before dying, Callisto advises Kratos to find his brother Deimos in Sparta. Kratos first frees the Titan Thera from imprisonment, which causes the destruction of Atlantis. After a skirmish with his brother Deimos, Kratos allies with his sibling to battle the God of Death Thanatos. Thanatos kills Deimos but is then killed in turn by Kratos, who returns to Olympus enraged at the gods (Ghost of Sparta).
Eventually shunned by the other gods and bored with life on Mt. Olympus, Kratos spends his time watching the Spartan army overrun Greece. After being falsely accused of committing murder and eventually killing Ceryx, the son of Hermes (Betrayal), Kratos joins the Spartan army in city of Rhodes, intent only on destruction. Zeus, however, weakens Kratos, and then tricks him into abandoning his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus (which Zeus uses to kill Kratos). Although Kratos overcomes all obstacles, he is stunned at Zeus' betrayal and swears revenge as he dies.
As Kratos falls into the Underworld, he is rescued by the Titan Gaia. Banished to Tartarus with the other surviving Titans after the First Great War, Gaia and her brethren seek the death of Zeus. Kratos, fuelled by anger at the betrayal, agrees to aid the Titans and is instructed to find the Sisters of Fate, with their power being capable of returning him to the moment of Zeus' treachery.
Kratos becomes both determined and utterly ruthless—in the pursuit of his goal he wounds a Titan, kills several Greek heroes without hesitation and deliberately sacrifices two scholars. All three of the Sisters of Fate are killed when they oppose Kratos, and in a final confrontation with Zeus is prepared to execute the King of the Gods. Zeus is only saved when Athena intervenes and sacrifices herself for him, with Kratos only then showing some remorse. Learning from a dying Athena that Zeus is in fact his father, and that Zeus wishes to avoid a repetition of what he himself did to his own father Cronos, Kratos rejects any notion of a relationship and vows to kill both Zeus and destroy Olympus. Encouraged by Gaia, Kratos uses the power of the Fates to retrieve the Titans prior to their defeat in the Great War, and with their aid, storms Mt. Olympus (God of War II).
Although Kratos kills Poseidon, he is abandoned by Gaia when an initial encounter with Zeus goes poorly. Stranded in the underworld and now betrayed by both the Olympians and Titans, Kratos learns from the spirit of Athena (who also provides the Blades of Exile) he will need to find the Flame of Olympus: the key to Zeus' defeat. Kratos murders both Titans and gods alike, ignoring the warnings of his victims as he seeks the Flame. Realizing the key to pacifying the Flame and reaching what is discovered to be Pandora's Box is in fact Pandora herself, Kratos comes to care for the girl, who reminds him of his lost daughter Calliope.
Kratos shows humanity when he attempts to stop Pandora from sacrificing herself to quenching the Flame, but reluctantly allows the act when Pandora states there is no other option. Finding the Box empty, and driven berserk by Zeus' mockery, Kratos attacks his father. Although Gaia intervenes and attempts to kill both Kratos and Zeus, she is destroyed by Kratos, who then apparently defeats Zeus.
Zeus, however, returns and attacks Kratos in spirit form. Kratos, now retreated into his psyche, comes to forgive himself for his past sins with the help of Lysandra. Pandora later appears and tells Kratos that hope will ultimately save him. A now whole Kratos is revived and easily destroys Zeus. Athena confronts Kratos and demands that Kratos return what she placed in Pandora's Box: hope. In a selfless act, Kratos refuses and impales himself on the Blade of Olympus, which disperses the power across the world for mankind's use. Athena departs as Kratos states that his need for vengeance is at an end.
Kratos' ultimate fate remains unknown (God of War III).
[edit] Critical receptionGameSpot stated God of War did not allow the player to initially understand Kratos, but would be evident by the game's conclusion.[16] The character was regarded as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", and described as "endearing" due to his unforgiving demeanor.[16] IGN similarly noted he was "ruthless", "merciless" and "savage", noting the character's main motive is vengeance and "All he desires is murder."[17] IGN also stated that in time the player would begin to "love and loathe Kratos and hate Ares."[17] GameDaily included him in a top 25 list of video game anti-heroes, stating that they love him for how he "tears enemies limb from limb and looks awesome doing it".[18]
GamePro stated it was "Kratos' tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus that made the original God of War so memorable."[19] GamesRadar listed Kratos as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade, stating that while he appears at first to be a generic character, the players eventually learn that he is both an "unstoppable force of nature" and a "broken, tragic man".[20]
Prince of Persia producer, Ben Mattes, explained in an interview that he considers Kratos "a supercool character, but it's black and white; his personality is pure rage, his dialogue is pure rage, his character design is pure rage--it's kind of easy."[21] Jeremy "Norm" Scott, creator of the comic strip Hsu and Chan appearing in video game magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly, made similar comments and stated that Kratos was "average", and "did not exist, except as an avatar for the player."[22]
At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, Kratos was nominated for "Character of the Year" and awarded the "Biggest Badass" award.[23]
[edit] MerchandiseTwo series of action figures based on God of War II have been produced by National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The first set included two versions of Kratos (the first being Kratos wielding the Blades of Athena and the second being Kratos wearing the Golden Fleece and holding a gorgon's head). A twelve-inch variation of the second figure that plays six pre-recorded game quotes was included in this release.[24]
A second two-figure set was also released, with Kratos wearing Ares' God of War armour.[25][26]
Kratos has also been featured in a line of action figures released by DC Unlimited based on God of War III.[27]
On January 29, 2010, it was announced that from February 1, 2010 until March 31, 2010, 7-Eleven would be selling a limited edition Slurpee drink called "Kratos Fury" (a blend of blackberries and frosty lime flavors) available in one of four exclusive God of War III Slurpee cups. The cups also featured codes that could also be used on the Slurpee website for exclusive God of War III and Slurpee themed downloadable content.[28]
[edit] Other mediaKratos has been featured as a playable character in five other PlayStation games outside the God of War series. These include Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (complete with "Club of Chaos"),[29] LittleBigPlanet (also included monsters the Medusa and Minotaur and level designs),[30] Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny[31], ModNation Racers (complete with "Kart of Chaos")[32] and the PS3 version of Mortal Kombat (with own stage and "stage fatality").[33] The character's image also appeared in The Simpsons Game in a God of War parody (Kratos appears on a billboard as the "God of Wharf", advertising a chowder restaurant).[34]
A film adaptation of the original God of War was announced in 2005.[35] Creator David Jaffe confirmed that a completed script had been written by David Self and would be sent to an unspecified "huge-name director". Jaffe also confirmed that Universal Studios is behind the making of the God of War movie but was unaware of its current status,[36] and eventually stated that "it's doubtful that the film will even be made." [37]
A novelization of Kratos' first released adventure -God of War- was written by Matthew Stover and Robert E. Vardeman was released on May 25, 2010 by Del Ray Books.[38]
A six issue comic book series written by Marv Wolfman with art by Andrea Sorrentino was released by Wildstorm from March 2010 to January 2011 on a bi-monthly schedule with a collected edition released in March 2011.[39] Courtesy of flashbacks, the story explores Kratos' past as a Spartan soldier, and present during the period when Kratos first becomes the new God of War. On both occasions Kratos seeks the Ambrosia of Asclepius, which has legendary healing properties.
god of war 3 ending
God of War III picks up immediately where God of War II ended, with Kratos riding on Gaia as she and the other massive Titans climb Mount Olympus to assault the gods. Atop the mountain, Hermes, Poseidon, Hades, Helios, and Zeus begin an attack to defend themselves from the Titans. After defeating and killing Poseidon, Kratos and Gaia reach Zeus, only to be knocked off Mt. Olympus by Zeus' lightning bolt. As Gaia tries to climb back up, Kratos begins to slip off her back. Gaia states that she cannot help him and that the Titans war with the gods is more important than Kratos' revenge. Kratos falls off Gaia as she continues upward.
Kratos lands in the River Styx, where the souls of the underworld take away all of Kratos' power and health, except for the Golden Fleece, Icarus Wings, and the Blade of Olympus. Furthermore, Kratos' Blades of Athena are ruined in the river. Emerging from the river, Kratos encounters Athena's ghost, who gives him the Blades of Exile. With Athena to once again guide him, Kratos sets out to find Zeus and destroy him.
Along the way, Kratos eliminates many of the remaining gods and their servants including, Helios, Hades, Hermes, Hephaestus, and Hercules; as the gods are killed, they unleash fatal calamities across the mortal world including floods, storms, and plagues. He also returns the favor to Gaia by making her fall to Tartarus. Kratos eventually learns that Pandora's Box still exists after his encounter with Ares. Protected by the Flame of Olympus, it's contents are said to still be able to slay a god. Kratos travels to various locations to find the key to opening Pandora's Box, learning later that Pandora herself is the key and that only she can pacify the Flame of Olympus.
The Labyrinth that Kratos must save Pandora from.
Kratos makes his way to the Labyrinth, where Pandora is being held. After killing Cronos and several other foes, he takes Pandora back to where her box is being held. There, Zeus arrives to stop them, however, after a one-on-one duel with Kratos, Zeus fails to stop Pandora as she quenches the flame. Kratos, finally able to open Pandora's Box, discovers that the box is empty. Enraged, he finds Zeus at a nearby platform, where they once again engage in battle. Suddenly, Gaia returns and attacks them both. To avoid her assault, they jump inside Gaia via a hole near her neck. Inside of Gaia, Kratos and Zeus battle, ending with Kratos stabbing both Zeus and Gaia's heart with the Blade of Olympus.
Near where Gaia attacked Kratos and Zeus, Kratos awakens, taking the Blade of Olympus out of Zeus's body. With Zeus's physical form defeated, his spirit attacks Kratos, rendering him weaponless. As Zeus's spirit is about to kill Kratos, Kratos retreats inside of his own psyche. There, he forgives himself for his past sins, and learns that 'hope' is his most powerful weapon. Kratos, returning from inside himself, breaks free and kills Zeus once and for all.
Athena's spirit appears, demanding that he give her the weapon he took out of Pandora's Box. He replies that it was empty, a fact Athena cannot believe. Athena explains that when Zeus imprisoned the world's evil within the Box, she feared what may happen should it ever be opened, and placed her own power of hope within the Box. Athena comes to realize that when Kratos opened the Box to defeat Ares, the evil escaped, infecting the other gods and endowing Kratos with Athena's power, explaining why the Box is now empty. Athena demands Kratos return her power, believing she knows best how to use it. Instead, Kratos takes his own life with the Blade of Olympus, releasing the power for all of mankind to use. Enraged, Athena states that the world won't know what to do with hope and that Kratos sacrificed himself in vain. On the ground, in a pool of his own blood, Kratos is still slowly breathing as Athena walks away, the camera fading to black as the credits begin.
At the end of the credits, Kratos is no longer at the spot where he collapsed next to the Blade of Olympus, with only a trail of blood leading over to the edge of the nearby cliff, indicating that Kratos may still be alive.
god
god of war 2 endingKratos didn't kill Zeus but he almost did. Kratos stuck a sword inside of Zues and had Zeus at his feet, but Athena interrupted Kratos from killing Zeus. Kratos was startled once Athena interrupted him and he ended up accidently impaling Athena with the sword and killed her. After Kratos was interrupted by Athena, Zeus managed to get away from him.
The very last cutscene of God of War 2 ends with Kratos on the back of the Titan Gaia and they were climbing a mountain to Zeus's Castle with hundreds of other Titans climbing with them up the mountain, and then the words "The End Begins" appears on the screen.
There was a ton of boss battles in God of War 2 and Kratos killed tons of people/creatures: The Sisters of Fate, Barbarian King,, Theseus, Icarus, Kraken, Colossus of Rhodes, and Euryale.
god of war 2 endingKratos didn't kill Zeus but he almost did. Kratos stuck a sword inside of Zues and had Zeus at his feet, but Athena interrupted Kratos from killing Zeus. Kratos was startled once Athena interrupted him and he ended up accidently impaling Athena with the sword and killed her. After Kratos was interrupted by Athena, Zeus managed to get away from him.
The very last cutscene of God of War 2 ends with Kratos on the back of the Titan Gaia and they were climbing a mountain to Zeus's Castle with hundreds of other Titans climbing with them up the mountain, and then the words "The End Begins" appears on the screen.
There was a ton of boss battles in God of War 2 and Kratos killed tons of people/creatures: The Sisters of Fate, Barbarian King,, Theseus, Icarus, Kraken, Colossus of Rhodes, and Euryale.
God of War III begins with a bang exactly where the second game in the trilogy ends: with Kratos, the protagonist, on the shoulder of Gaia as the Titans assault Mount Olympus.
Kratos, who has been the god of war since killing Ares in the first game, aims to kill Zeus, his father. But first he has to work his way through the rest of the Greek pantheon. Each fight with a god is a boss battle in God of War III (Sony; PS3; rated mature). There are a lot of them—there are a lot of gods—in this action-adventure game that was released on March 16.
The first boss battle takes place within the first 30 minutes. Kratos ruthlessly kills Poseidon by driving his thumbs through the eyes and into the brain of the god of the sea. Gamers get to experience Poseidon’s final moments firsthand, from his point of view, which is, in a word, unsettling.
Many of the deaths presented in God of War III are discomfiting, in part because of the realism of the graphics, but also because Kratos appears to take such pleasure in the excessive violence he inflicts on his victims. Kratos has, over the course of the trilogy, gone from being simply a troubled soldier to an enraged, deranged fiend who is driven by a need for vengeance.
While the God of War games have always revelled in gore, this installment crosses the line because the violence portrayed is nothing short of sadistic.
That this video game can elicit feelings of revulsion, though, simply speaks to the power of the medium and of this title. It is for mature audiences, after all, something we are reminded of by Aphrodite’s female servants, who watch the sexual tryst between her and Kratos.
Playing God of War III is much like playing the first two games. It requires fast and furious button mashing, as Kratos is nearly overwhelmed by hordes of enemies that range from skeletons to soldiers, Gorgons to Minotaurs, and Cyclopes to centaurs. Between the battles are puzzle and platforming sequences that aren’t too challenging but break up the action nicely.
God of War III is the first of the trilogy to be made for the PlayStation 3. The entire game—even the short movielike segments—is rendered with the in-game graphics engine, and it looks amazing. The developers at Sony Santa Monica show off the scale of the world, often juxtaposing tiny humans with the monstrous Titans and the vast landscapes.
In an interview in February at a launch event in Los Angeles, game director Stig Asmussen told the Georgia Straight that he wanted this game to wrap up the story that began with the first God of War, and it does. God of War III features characters and items that were critical to the plot of the first game, so everything gets tied up with a neat little bow.
The ending of this game, though, is a disaster. After lots of frantic and violent action, God of War III ends with a 30-minute sequence that has players doing nothing more than running Kratos down a path and back again. It’s as if the developers forgot they were making a video game.
Having a denouement at the end of an epic series isn’t a bad idea, but if that coda is the last thing players are going to experience, you’d best make sure it doesn’t put them to sleep.